If people were always kind and obedient to those who are cruel and unjust, the wicked people would have it all their own way; they would never feel afraid, and so they would never alter, but would grow worse and worse. When we are struck at without a reason, we should strike back again very hard; I am sure we should – so hard as to teach the person who struck us never to do it again.
– Charlotte Bronte
Jane Eyre, Chapter 6. While her friend Helen subscribes to the doctrine of turning the other cheek when mistreated, Jane is less forgiving to those who are cruel and unjust. When people are wicked she believes in striking back hard at them in order to teach them a lesson.